This 2-day workshop provides an overview to Gestalt principles and practice and is a pre-requisite to Part 2 which is a 4 day more in depth programme.

The Learning Context
The learning situation is viewed as a micro organisation, paralleling many of the interpersonal and team issues thrown up in the workplace. Therefore specific attention is paid to the internal workings of the group and learning points are drawn from personal and group experience.

The workshop will contain a solid theoretical framework combined with an experiential, experimental and unpredictable group process to create a dynamic learning environment.

There will be an opportunity to have guidance and coaching to embed the learning in your work environment. It can take the form of:

• Coaching on a specific individual client or team event.
• Relating the new theory & practice to consulting / coaching assignments.
• Further skills practice around the techniques learned.
• Exploring personal development issues around implementation.

There will be ample feedback from peers and supervision from our facilitators.

Programme Overview

Gestalt Process of Change

• Learn how the concept of Figure and Ground helps to identify the critical process issues that facilitate effective functioning.
• Increase your sensory awareness so you are more responsive to the mood or atmosphere of the client.
• Sharpen your observations of what you see, hear and feel in client systems.

Cycle of Experience

• Learn how the Gestalt Cycle of Experience, can be used as a dynamic model to understand individual and group development.
• Understand the behavioural characteristics at each stage of the cycle and how to use this information in your work.
• Gain fresh perspectives on coaching challenges using the cycle as a diagnostic tool.

Resistance to change

• Learn about the paradoxical nature of change.
• Understand the 'structure' of resistance in coaching practice.
• Evolve ideas and strategies for working with resistance.
• Discover how to 'trust the process' and work with the natural rhythm of change.

The Gestalt approach is a way of being, of developing presence so the coach acts as a powerful role model in his or her work.

It is also important to understand the differences between a therapeutic contract and a coaching contract and explore the boundaries between them.